White Spots on Children's Teeth: Causes and Treatments
We understand finding white spots on your child's teeth can be concerning. These chalky-white patches, technically called "white spot lesions," can appear for various reasons.
At Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry, we will identify the cause and provide effective treatment options for your child.
What Causes White Spots on Kids' Teeth?
Dental Trauma
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Injury to baby teeth can affect developing permanent teeth.
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Dental trauma can create white spots, lines, or marks on permanent teeth.
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Even seemingly minor injuries to baby teeth can potentially impact adult teeth.
Hypoplasia
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Appears as horizontal lines or patches of white on multiple teeth.
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Can be caused by high fevers near birth or during early childhood.
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Can be caused by certain illnesses or medications during tooth development.
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Can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies in early childhood.
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Premature birth or low birth weight can cause hypoplasia.
White Spots from Braces & Orthodontics
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Can develop around brackets during braces treatment.
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Caused by poor oral hygiene and plaque buildup.
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Appears as small white outlines where brackets were placed.
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Preventable with excellent brushing during orthodontic treatment.
Hypomineralization on Permanent Molars
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Affects the enamel development of first permanent molars and sometimes incisors
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Appears as creamy white or yellow-brown spots on molars
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Can cause sensitivity and increased risk of decay
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May require crowns or, in severe cases, removal of the affected molars
How We Treat White Spots at Mini Miners
We use the ICON white spots treatment. This modern technique is non-invasive with no drilling or removal of the tooth structure needed.
ICON can significantly lighten or completely remove white spots to restore the tooth’s natural appearance.
This treatment is great for kids because it’s painless and can be completed in a single visit.
Before
After
What to Expect at Your Visit:
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This painless procedure requires no local anesthesia, but you can choose nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help your child feel relaxed.
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We will gently etch the affected area to open the enamel pores.
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We will apply a special resin that penetrates the porous enamel to fill and seal the lesions.
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We will use a special light to cure and harden the resin and then polish the tooth it to give it a smooth finish.
Before
After
Are white spots on teeth always permanent? White spots vary in severity and cause. Some may fade naturally over time, while others are permanent without treatment. Modern treatments like ICON can significantly improve or eliminate many white spots.
FAQs: WHITE SPOTS ON KIDS' TEETH
Will treating white spots damage my child's teeth? The ICON treatment we use is minimally invasive and designed to preserve healthy tooth structure. Unlike traditional treatments, it requires no drilling.
Is ICON treatment painful? No, ICON treatment is painless and typically doesn't require anesthesia. Most children experience no discomfort during the procedure.
Will my insurance cover treatment for white spots? Coverage varies by insurance provider and the severity of the condition. Our Mini Miners team will help verify your benefits and discuss payment options.
Schedule a Consultation
If you've noticed white spots on your child's teeth, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our pediatric dental team. We'll evaluate the cause of the white spots and recommend the best treatment option for your child.
